Today, we are freed from the impossible standards of this world. Let us follow Jesus and conform only to His standard of love. Then, let us help Him free others as well through love.

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus teaches us that we do not belong to this world. That as God’s children, we belong to the Father.

“I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world.” — John 17:14

This means that we do not have to conform to the world’s standards.

We do not need to have the fastest or shiniest cars. We do not need to have the latest gadgets, the largest paycheck, the most profitable businesses, or the most prestigious of recognitions.

We do not need to conform to the world’s standard of beauty. We do not need to conform to the world’s philosophy or brand of selfish love. We do not need to conform to the world’s idea of living large in order to live.

We only need to conform to His standards and His standard is real, genuine, selfless love.

We only need Him and with Him, we already have more than enough.

Yet, Jesus also teaches us not to give up on this broken world.

“I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world.” — John 17:15,18

In fact, He sends us to this world to help Him heal it.

As He teaches us, we must also teach our brethren that they do not belong to this world, that they do not have to conform to its standards.

More importantly, as He loves us, we must also love others.

Today, we are freed from the impossible standards of this world. Let us follow Jesus and conform only to His standard of love. Then, let us help Him free others as well through love.